Justice minister to meet with Muscowpetung chief over pot

Saskatchewan’s Justice Minister is preparing for a meeting with the leader of a First Nation that opened an unlicensed pot shop.

The provincial government said the cannabis dispensary opened on the Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation is illegal because it wasn’t issued a license by the SLGA. The First Nation argues it has the right to run the business based on the right to self-governance on reserve land under the treaties.

The SLGA sent a letter to the store, and other operating without a license, asking them to close their doors.

Justice Minister Don Morgan said on Monday he’s spoken to the chief of the FSIN, Bobby Cameron about it, and Cameron asked him to speak with the chief of the Muscowpetung band, Todd Cappo.

Morgan said he now has a meeting set up with Cappo for this week to discuss the problem.

Morgan said he hopes they’ll be able to come to an agreement and the shop will close, but if it comes down to a question of jurisdiction, Morgan said the issue will likely end up in court.